El Sancocho [Song]

I am sure that our parang groups have already added this Venezuelan song to the repertoire and since it's a song about one of my favourite meals - Sancocho, I am even more interested in hearing it sung by a local band. In T&T, we say, "Sancoach" and spell it "Sancoche." The word comes from the Spanish verb sancochar - to parboil.

Uploaded by Ito Vzla
EL SANCOCHO
Composed and performed by Gualberto Ibarreto

Si quieres hacé un sancocho, | If you want to make a Sancoche
Un sancocho a lo oriental, | An eastern Venezuelan style Sancoche
Un sancocho bien sabroso, | A very tasty Sancoche
Pon cuidado a mi explicar. | Carefully follow my instructions. [Repeat]

Si el sancocho es pescao fresco, | If the Sancoche is with fresh fish
Pon primero a calentar | First you start cooking
Ocumo, yuca y auyama, con su poquito de sal | The yam, cassava and pumpkin, with a little salt
Y la bananita verde que no debe de faltar | And you cannot do without the little green banana
Y la bananita verde que no debe de faltar. | And you cannot do without the little green banana.

Cuando esto esté en la candela, | When this is on the fire,
No te olvides de agregar | Don't forget to add
Ají, cebollín y ajo, | The peppers, onions and garlic,
Que es su sabor peculiar. | Which give it its distinctive flavor. [Repeat]

Y al ver amigo mío, a la verdura ablandar | And, my friend, when you see the vegetables softening
Echa ese pescao fresco y limón sin reparar | Drop in the fresh fish and don't be sparing with the lemon
Y la botellita'e ron que no debe de faltar | And you must not forget the nip of rum
Y la botellita'e ron que no debe de faltar. | And you must not forget the nip of rum.

Cuando esto esté en la candela, | When this is on the fire,
No te olvides de agregar | Don't forget to add
Ají, cebollín y ajo, | The peppers, onions and garlic,
Que es su sabor peculiar. | Which gives it its distinctive flavor. [Repeat]

Y al ver amigo mío, a la verdura ablandar | And, my friend, when you see the vegetables softening
Echa ese pescao fresco y limón sin reparar | Drop in the fresh fish and don't be sparing with the lemon
Y la botellita'e ron que no debe de faltar | And you cannot do without the nip of rum
Y la botellita'e ron que no debe de faltar | And you cannot do without the nip of rum
Y la botellita'e ron que no debe de faltar. | And you cannot do without the nip of rum.

N.B. Chords for this song can be obtained at the blog El Cuatro Venezolano.

Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! .............................................................................................................................. 


A Note From the Gull


Thank you, Gualberto Ibarreto, for this beautiful song. For those who don't know how to prepare this soup/stew, here is a Trinbagonian recipe for Sancoche at Simply Trini Cooking. Enjoy!

"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.

Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.

Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare